SDY vs VIG: ETF Comparison
Compare SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) and VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) side by side by average annual total return since inception — one fair number covering price and dividends.
Updated Aug 4, 2026
*For entertainment purposes ONLY! NOT financial advice! Data may be inaccurate.*
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SDY vs VIG: The Verdict
On average annual total return since inception, VIG narrowly leads SDY: +10.2% per year vs +9.0% per year — a gap of 1.2 percentage points annually. Total return counts both price movement and dividends, so this is the whole picture of each fund's performance, not just yield.
Income investors will notice the yield gap: SDY currently yields 2.6% vs VIG's 1.6%. Higher yield often comes with trade-offs in price appreciation, which is exactly why total return is the fairer scoreboard.
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SDY vs VIG Side-by-Side Data
| Symbol | Name | Provider | Inception | Age | Total Return | Avg. Annual Return | Yield | Expense Ratio | Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SDY | SPDR S&P Dividend ETF | State Street | 11/8/2005 | 20.7y | +497.0% | +9.0% | 2.6% | 0.35% | A |
| VIG | Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF | Vanguard | 4/21/2006 | 20.3y | +617.0% | +10.2% | 1.6% | 0.04% | A |
SDY vs VIG — Frequently Asked Questions
Which is better, SDY or VIG?
By average annual total return since inception, VIG narrowly leads SDY (+10.2% vs +9.0% per year). "Better" depends on your goals — yield, payout frequency, and strategy differ between the two funds.
What is the difference between SDY and VIG?
SDY (SPDR S&P Dividend ETF) is offered by State Street and currently yields 2.6%. VIG (Vanguard Dividend Appreciation ETF) is offered by Vanguard and yields 1.6%. Their average annual total returns since inception are +9.0% and +10.2% respectively.
Does VIG pay a higher dividend than SDY?
VIG currently yields 1.6% and SDY yields 2.6%. Remember that yield alone doesn't capture performance — total return (price + dividends) is the fairer comparison.